Case study: an apostille for Spain and an NIE application

A client was obtaining an NIE (foreigner identification number) in Spain and preparing to apply for residence for financially independent persons. In Russia he apostilled a police record and a marriage certificate, had notarised translations into Spanish made, and arrived. On the spot it turned out that for submission to a Spanish authority the translations must be from a traductor jurado — a sworn translator accredited by the Spanish Foreign Ministry.

What to apostille in Russia

Spain is a party to the Hague Convention, so consular legalisation is not needed — an apostille is enough. The apostille goes on the Russian originals: the police record, civil-registry certificates (birth, marriage, divorce), and, if necessary, the diploma. This is done only in Russia and within reasonable timeframes, if you do not leave it to the last moment before the flight.

Where a Spanish sworn translation is needed

For submission to Spanish state authorities — immigration, the registry, courts, civil registry, universities — the translation as a rule must be done by a traductor jurado. A Russian notarised translation is often not suitable for these purposes. The sworn translation is done in Spain, or remotely by a Spanish translator — from the Russian original together with the apostille stamp.

The exception is procedures at the Spanish consulate in Russia: there a Russian notarised translation is often accepted. So it is important from the outset to separate: which documents are submitted in Spain and which at the consulate on Russian territory.

The correct order

Apostille the Russian originals in Russia → send scans to a sworn translator in Spain so the translation is ready by the submission date → on the spot you submit the original with the apostille plus the jurado translation. Do not spend money on a notarised translation into Spanish in Russia if the documents are going to Spanish authorities: it will most likely have to be redone by a jurado.